How long does the Transport Manager CPC last for?
The Transport Manager CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) is a requirement for anyone wishing to manage a road freight operation in the UK. But how long does the certificate last? In this article, we’ll discuss how long the Transport Manager CPC is valid for and what must be done to maintain it.
How long is a Transport Manager CPC valid for?
A Transport Manager CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) does not expire (although it can be revoked!). To continue to prove your professional competence, the Traffic Commissioner expects all Transport Managers complete regular continued professional development during a five year period. This can be through attending official courses, webinars, and conferences, as well as reading industry journals and magazines. The easiest way to ensure your knowledge as a Transport Manager is up to date is by attending a two day CPC Refresher course.
Does a Transport Manager need to renew their CPC?
As above, the simple answer is no, but to be accepted as a Transport Manager on an operator licence, the Traffic Commissioner will need to be convinced that your skills and knowledge are up to date. This requirement is again met by completing a recognised Transport Manager CPC Refresher course. The Traffic Commissioner will expect evidence of refresher training in the following instances (taken directly from Stat Doc 3 - Transport managers)
on initial application if the Transport Manager has not been specified as such in the last five years;
on initial application when a transport manager’s qualification is more than 10 years old;
on application when a transport manager proposes to be on more than one licence or when the proposed hours are less than the starting point;
on renewal of an operator’s licence;
at Public Inquiry when considering whether a transport manager has exercised continuous and effective management.
As an operator, how can I ensure my Transport Managers have the right qualifications?
A Transport Manager CPC is a legal requirement for all operators responsible for managing an operation involving the carriage of goods or passengers by road. Operators must ensure that at least one employee involved in the operation has the relevant qualification, and if several people are employed, they must make sure all those involved have the right qualifications. The best way to do this is to regularly check the validity of each CPC certificate, and arrange for refresher courses or retraining as needed.
MDR offer a course for newly qualified and returning Transport Managers, the TM-Unlocked course. Click here to read more about how the TM-Unlocked can benefit you and your operation.
If you are thinking of taking the Transport Manager CPC and want to discuss how to best update your skills, call the team at MDR Training on 01530 834 554.